The winners of this year’s Cumbria Sports Awards have been revealed.
Organised by Active Cumbria, part of Cumbria County Council’s public health team, the awards recognise the outstanding successes of teams and individuals from around the county who are involved in sport.
The categories recognise the outstanding commitment and achievements of individuals, clubs, coaches, volunteers, schools’ and community groups in Cumbria sport in the past year.
Richard Johnston, chair of Cumbria Sports Awards’ judging panel, said: “Each year the judging panel are overwhelmed by the number and quality of nominations for the Cumbria Sports Awards which celebrate the enormous effort and talents of the sporting stars in the county.
“It’s never an easy task deciding on the winners – we have an incredible range of great sporting talent in the county. We would like to congratulate all of our winners and to acknowledge the quality of our major sports performers and our emerging talent, as well as thanking the army of volunteers and coaches in Cumbria who make sport happen on a daily basis.”
Cumbria Sports Personality of the Year: Georgia Stanway
Georgia has had another fantastic season in her sport of football. After becoming all-time top goal scorer at Manchester City, she has recently moved to Germany to take up a new challenge with giants Bayern Munich.
Over the summer Georgia was part of the England Lionesses Squad which were victorious in the European Championships. She started every game and scored the winning goal in the Quarter Final victory over Spain, making history as the first senior national football team to win a major championship since the World Cup in 1966.
Performance of the Year: Dan Bewley
Dan who was born in Maryport, comes from the world of speedway, and has had a fantastic 2022.
He became the British champion after winning the British Speedway Championships, and in August he won back-to-back Speedway Grand Prix in Cardiff and Wroclaw in Poland. At the Cardiff event, he won three heats, qualifying in first place. He made it through the semi-final unscathed, and in the final he flew out, and never looked back, cruising to his first Speedway Grand Prix win.
Junior Sports Personality of the Year: Callum Harrogate
Callum only took up the sport of javelin at the start of this year and is already a national champion for his age group, achieving six titles in his first season.
His achievements boast a staggering 22 gold medals from attending 24 meetings – he has worked extremely hard to become a national age group champion and is now ranked number one in the under 15 boys in the North West and ranked sixth in England.
Disability Performance Award: Tyler Baines
Tyler, of Barrow, represented England’s wheelchair basketball team at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham becoming part of sporting history being the first time a disability team sport had been played as part of the Commonwealth Games.
His wheelchair basketball team won a bronze medal – with Tyler scoring the winning points in the final game.
This year, Tyler has been selected as an APA athlete for the Great Britain’s men’s senior wheelchair basketball squad where at 20 years old he will be the youngest player. And in November he will be representing Great Britain again – this time in Madrid.
Team of the year: Upper Eden Rugby Club
A thriving community club with three senior teams and a growing junior section. This team’s incredible success in the last few years sees them stand unbeaten in their last 27 games!
With home victory’s including 69-0 against strong opposition this Rugby Union team remain consistent both on and off the pitch pulling together even when the odds are against them. In the County Cup, they also recently beat a team that are two leagues higher than them in the RFU structure and were cheered on by over 1000 vocal local supporters.
Junior Team of the Year: Eden Eagles U11 dodgeball team
A team of eight young players who in June this year were not only crowned national champions in their chosen sport but who went undefeated throughout the whole competition.
Coach of the year: Mark Holding
From Penrith, Mark was nominated for his lifelong passion, unwavering commitment, and consistency in karate. The karate community in Cumbria count themselves incredibly lucky to have this coach who is an inspiration to all ages.
He has been teaching karate in Cumbria for over 38 years coaching children as young as four right through to Commonwealth athletes and in recent years offering karate and self-defence classes for women.
And this year Mark became an England coach to many British champions and winners.
Service to Sport Award: Mike Firby
From Stainburn, near Workington, Mike’s service to Rugby Union spans an incredible 40 years. Described as working tirelessly for the good of the sport their dedication has contributed to ensuring that Rugby Union continues to prosper throughout Cumbria.
For the last 10 years they have been responsible for appointing referees for all Rugby Union games in our county. From under-14s cup games right through to County championships. And he regularly referees fixtures himself.
He is a fantastic mentor and support to new and more experienced referees supporting them on their referee pathway
Becky Underwood Volunteer of the Year: Stephen Reed
A longstanding volunteer with Cockermouth RUFC.
From coaching and fundraising to grounds work and first aid provision this dedicated award winner is integral to the club’s success and particularly helping the club bounce back from the effects of COVID.
He re-established the Cockermouth Colts providing an opportunity for young people to engage with Rugby Union, coaching the squad but also going the extra mile sourcing funding and sponsorship to enable the team to compete in the North East league.
Stephen volunteers his time to mentor new and less experienced coaches providing advice and support when required as well as helping with co-ordinating fixtures and allocating kit.
His dedication and commitment to supporting the whole club in helping make it a tremendous success is a real credit him and makes him a very worthy winner.
Community Club or Group of the Year: Eden Dodgeball Club
A club which provides opportunities for children and young people from the age of five and has grown significantly over the last two years and now has over 70 members – a fantastic achievement in challenging times as our sector recovers from the pandemic.
They encourage all their members to increase their levels of physical activity in a fun and friendly way, ensuring that everyone enjoys being active and makes new friends and connections.
Active Education Award: Rockcliffe C of E School
A school who has shown a commitment to broadening the range of physical education opportunities available to all pupils with the aim of improving health and wellbeing.
They have introduced new after school clubs lead by teachers and an external coach, which have inspired the children to try new sports such as cricket, tennis, girls football and rugby.
The school continues to build on a successful programme of delivering lunchtime sports and activity sessions offering a new daily programme of activity for all pupils, giving all children the chance to get involved and find a physical activity that they enjoy.
As well as encouraging whole school participation, they have in recent years enjoyed successes at countywide football finals and at a range of Carlisle School Sports Association events.
Special Award: Gary McKee
Gary, of Cleator Moor, to recognise his outstanding achievement of running 365 marathons in 365 days raising funds for Macmillan Cancer Support and Hospice at Home West Cumbria. His amazing efforts have inspired others to get active, and his efforts have been recognised by TV and media, as well as legends such as Sir Mo Farah.
Three Rising Star Awards were made to talented athletes who have demonstrated their potential through their achievements during the year.
Rising Star Award: Carley Thwaites
Carley, of Tebay, is excelling in the tug of war.
A determined and talented young sportswoman whose sporting journey began with horses but more recently took a very different turn in the form of tug of war.
Spotted by the England Junior tug of war manager whilst competing for their local Young Farmers Team, they have since been selected by the England Under 19s Junior Tug of War team.
She already has numerous credible titles and medals to her name and at 15 years of age represented England at the World Tug of War championships achieving a bronze medal for her club in the 4×4 mixed team.
Rising Star Award: Joshua Reibbitt
With three major titles to their name this young sportsperson is ranked number one in England in their chosen sport in track and field athletics of hammer throwing.
At 15 years of age, they already hold three major titles including a Gold Medal in the English Schools Athletics Championships.
Rising Star Award: Lexi Dixon
This young sportsperson, of Wigton, was the first ever female junior national champion in Cumbria in her chosen sport of boxing.
She represented England in the three nations championships taking gold in her weight class and was subsequently crowned champion of Great Britain.
Her dedication to training and ability to engage with and inspire other young people in her club in Wigton make her a fantastic role model for women in sport.
Undefeated in all of her seven contests and described as a ‘force to be reckoned with’ – a very worthy winner.
